Captain Joe A. Terry Jr.

Captain Joe A. Terry Jr. serves as the District Captain for the Tennessee Highway Patrol’s Memphis District, where he provides executive leadership and oversight for Highway Patrol operations throughout Shelby, Fayette, Haywood, Hardeman, Tipton, Lauderdale, and Crockett counties. Captain Terry began his career with the Tennessee Highway Patrol in 2002 and has more than two decades of law enforcement experience. Throughout his career, he has served in progressively responsible leadership positions, including Sergeant, Lieutenant, and Captain. He was promoted to Sergeant in 2014 over Shelby County Midnights, Lieutenant in 2017 over Shelby County, and Captain in 2022.

As District Captain, Captain Terry is responsible for directing enforcement operations, personnel management, traffic safety initiatives, administrative functions, and major incident response throughout the Memphis District. His responsibilities also include coordinating with local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies to address violent crime, impaired driving, traffic fatalities, interstate crime, and other public safety concerns. Captain Terry has played a significant role in developing and overseeing high-visibility enforcement initiatives and multi-agency operations throughout West Tennessee. His leadership emphasizes accountability, professionalism, officer safety, effective supervision, and data-driven enforcement strategies designed to reduce traffic fatalities and improve public safety.

Prior to his law enforcement career, Captain Terry served honorably in the United States Navy from 1992 to 1996 aboard the USS Constellation (CV-64), homeported in San Diego, California.

Captain Terry remains committed to servant leadership, professional development, interagency cooperation, and the Tennessee Highway Patrol mission to protect lives, enforce the law, and serve the citizens of Tennessee with professionalism and integrity.